Tuesday night I was at the nearby Best Buy picking up the new Futurama movie when I saw the latest Guitar Hero game set up. It's no secret that GH is trying to compete with Rock Band after the Red Octane-Harmonix divorce in 2007 [thanks Activision]. The latest in the GH franchise is World Tour, no idea why such a dumb name. It includes a drum kit and microphone in addition to the faux wood guitar [as lead or bass]. Sounds just like RB. However, the hype is over the drums co-designed by three famous drummers [Stewart Copeland is the only one I respect] and the guitar's new sliding interface for those big Metal solos. Oh, there's the recording studio allow you to make new tunes…without vocals for some odd reason.
Anyway, I took a shot at playing it. I also wanted to see if there were any immediate differences in game play, content, etc. So far, I wasn't impressed. The song choices weren't terribly different, about a fifth of the songs are available in RB yet some they offered are rather lame for a "rock" game. Michael Jackson? Willie Nelson? Both are great artists yet they don't belong here unless there's a R&B and Country Hero game. I shouldn't have been surprised due to the disappointing choice offered at the end of GH3, "Devil Went to Georgia" from the Charlie Daniels Band. GHWT gets a pass on this because RB also had a stinker or two [the Outlaws cover namely]. The two I played were tunes I wish RB offered in the DLS despite how overplayed they are on the radio: "Band on the Run" and "Hotel California." I tried them at medium difficulty…I am nowhere as skilled as Denny Laine or Joe Walsh. These were enjoyable. The dealbreaker was how long GH took to load between songs on a PS3. If I didn't know better, it felt more like a PS2 with everything loading from the disc. Next time, I'll take a stop watch [in my iPhone] to time them and eliminate the perception argument.
No matter what the results may be, I'm not dropping Rock Band for this. It has too many resemblances to GH3 which was disappointing and RB has at least a one year head start in numerous areas.
There will be a more elaborate review of Rock Band and its refined sequel Rock Band 2 in the very near future.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ November 7, 2008 4:30:35 PM CST ( 0 comments ) |
Rather weird that this awesome opening to the upcoming Rock Band 2 isn't available on any of Harmonix's sites. Still, it's pretty funny to see the quartet from the first game getting challenged by a new set of rockers, all while "performing" Cheap Trick's "Hello There." This song will be on the game but I'm confident earning five stars at it is going to be a big challenge. It was the intro to CT's album In Color with a mere length of 90 seconds.
My assessment of the first game is coming together, I like to give long-term video games more time before giving an immediate review as other publications do. Hence why the "gap" on the Wii Fit, which I need to get off my butt and use, probably more after I get recharged from the vacation [starts in two-plus days!]. I am rather peeved over Xbox360 getting the sequel next week while my PS3 gets the shaft for a month. I definitely need to get my cousin Leesa's family turned on to it, she says her son is a completely Xbox fanatic. This game could get them all involved as it has with Somara and me and our pretend band…more about them in the review. Maybe I should use the "downtime" to check out a good hockey franchise. Thanks to the built-in wireless connection, my team's roster can be updated pronto.
I did finally find a picture of the upcoming Madcatz bass controller. Nice! The site says 83% to scale. I think the split flipper button is a big plus on how the bass is played differently from the guitar. Maybe I'll get this for Christmas because my character Salvatore is the bassist for the band Somara leads. I know my friend Leslee will love it since she tends to play bass in our get-togethers for the game.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ September 11, 2008 11:17:44 AM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
Don't believe me, see this link provided by my wife. I thought it was still a trick via Photoshop but it would include Cartman's fake band if it were. Sadly, there is DC Talk and Petra while Stryper is missing, hmm. No Amy Grant neither which is an insult to her pretty skilled guitarist Owsley; I'm a fan of his music because his stuff is you know…secular.
The memorable words of Hank Hill quickly came to mind from the episode "Reborn to be Wild" when he confronted the tattoo'd, dreadlocked, skateboarding, "extreme" youth minister:
"Can't you see you're not making Christianity better, you're just making rock n' roll worse!"
or the late Sam Kinison:
"Rock Against Drugs, what a name. Somebody was high when they came up with that title. It's like Christians Against Christ. Rock created drugs."
There's going to be really disappointed kids and teens this Christmas when this dud appears under the tree.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ August 30, 2008 6:22:38 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
If you’ve played Wii Sport which comes with the console, then you’ve probably sweated a bit while playing tennis, boxing and baseball; bowling and golf are debatable. Sport has a Fitness element yet it’s weak and unlikely to provide a decent workout.
Nintendo to the rescue with Wii Fit. Through the game’s primary controller called the Fit Board [a modified scale], the players operate it by shifting their balance to make their characters or objects move about. The categories of games are divided into four sections: yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance; the latter being the fun, video game part.
The yoga and strength-training sections have a virtual trainer lead you through 30 different exercises. To help you do these exercises correctly, you’re guided usually by a red dot representing your center of balance. The key is to keep the red dot near the center of the yellow circle until you’re done. Sometimes the yellow circle is an oval-like strip or rectangle. Other times, you’re trying to keep the blue meter in a small zone representing the right amount weight distribution.
Its aerobics part involves jogging, step boxing, hula hoops and step aerobics. Jogging excludes the board as the hand-held control is reacting to you running in place with your Mii moving around a cool virtual landscape. Hula hoops are straightforward, shake or twist your waist around. Step boxing is similar to the boxing moves for Sport, you’re just punchig in time to a voiceover. Stepping is a dumbed-down DDR with dull music.
The balance games are where everyone will forget they’re “exercising” because they’re having real fun: tightrope walking, being the goalie at soccer practice, ski jumping, snowboarding, etc.
Here’s the $90 question about Wii Fit though…does it provide an actual exercise routine to help lose weight? After 70 days of owning one and doing at least 15 minutes for 54 of those 70 days [over 19 hours total], I have had some results but I would say they’re too early to credit Wii Fit. I would need to give it 150 days along with making sure I’m consistently completed at least 30 minutes; what doctors recommend.
In its defense, I think it may have provided a tipping point. If you’ve seen me in the last year, especially after Jose and Nancy’s wedding, I weighed 243 pounds, oink oink! So I took more aggressive stance on my diet sans much exercising, even after my cholesterol level [CL] was declared 242. I did lower the CL to 200 in 4-6 weeks but my weight hit its first plateau around the low 230s. Then I got the Fit during its debut week which said I was 229.9. By the time the console had to be replaced on July 10, I lost over five pounds. Currently, I’ve regained nearly two back thanks to my birthday excesses.
Overall I am pleased with the Wii Fit despite its shortcomings. As a video game for a party, the set-up process is slow and tedious entering each new player. Then not all the balance or aerobic games are unlocked for the new players. I quickly found myself in agreement with The Onion’s reviewer about what I would give to have an “A” button on the Fit Board. Having to constantly use the handheld controller to confirm choices slows down the whole workout process.
Finally, here are the funnier observations I’ve discovered with 70 days of usage. While going for a jog, some of the Miis from your plaza will trip and fall down after they pass you by. Always a chuckle to see this happen to my Homer or Spongebob Miis. The others involve my virtual trainer, the lady with no name. I think her hair grows because one day I noticed she had it tied up in a bun and then it was short again the next day; a virtual hair cut? The better one happened more recently. I chose the first exercise of my daily workout [the Half Moon pose]. Then the screen showed the studio but my trainer was absent. My immediate reaction was, “[Bleep!] This Wii just broke after a week!” Suddenly the screen flicked and the trainer appeared, apologizing how she overslept! Wow. One normally has to pay a monthly membership fee at a gym to get tardiness and Nintendo built it into the programming.
Right now, Wii Fit is hard to find in stock anywhere. I was lucky and smart, I paid the deposit fee at my local Best Buy about two weeks before release. However, I do recommend it for a few reasons. You don’t have to drive to the local gym with all its numerous issues. It will make you sweat and get your heart moving. It is a video game so it has game-like traits; earning “coins” to unlock features and rewards; it did something after accumulating 10 hours and it made an announcement on my birthday. It keeps track of your progress based upon the goals you set; mine is a pound and a half every two weeks. The Wii loads activities, etc faster than my PS2 could with DDR’s 90-second bursts. Lastly, it only has a $90 price tag, far cheaper than a gym membership and less difficult to get out of.
Let’s see how long I can keep it up. Meanwhile I need to have a friend who’s a certified yoga instructor give her professional assessment on Fit’s accuracy, potential and usefulness.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ July 30, 2008 11:01:06 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
Last night, UPS abandoned a soaked cardboard package at our front step; it has finally been raining in Central TX thanks to the tropical storm hitting the border area. It was our replacement Wii! Good thing the Nintendo people wrapped it tightly in bubble wrap. Having to exchange it again would’ve made me piissed [sic].
How did I know it was new? I read the invoice showing the new serial number. Besides, a video game system is too small and practically disposable for Nintendo. They’ll probably repair our old on, put in the replacement pool just like cell phones, iPods and DVD players.
Despite how late it was, we had to hook it up and make sure they transferred all our data. When I hooked it up, matters were off to a rough start until I saw our console’s name [Maggii]. It connected to our wireless network without needing me configure the base stations too. The customized channels’ absence still caused me concern. At least half were free so I re-downloaded them: Check Mii Out, Everybody Votes and the Nintendo Channel. Even all our Miis in the Plaza remained which assured me the voting records were intact. Finally, the ultimate test, would I have to repurchase the two Super Mario games I bought. Thankfully no. I had to reinstall them from the Virtual Console store but when the cost was zero points, I could’ve jumped for joy, if I weren’t so tired.
Thus our overall experience with the Nintendo Wii continues to be positive. Yes, it stunk that the first one broke in several months yet the company honored its warranty pretty well. The whole mess was resolved in a couple weeks.
Soon will be the coup de grace, restoring all the Wii Fit elements.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ July 24, 2008 9:13:34 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
Maybe I should take that as a kick in the seat to finally give a review of the Wii Fit while I start to get all doughy again. I feel most of the initial stories were a rush because they were first impressions or people who had the scoop on the Betas. Mine will be throwing my two cents on whether or not it really gave any results.
We will be giving our take on the whole repair experience which none of you have to experience. It hasn't been unpleasant, it only left yesterday, we just hate being without it due to our addiction to Everyone Votes, Check Mii Out and checking the progress via Wii Fit.
Back to old-fashioned exercise until we get it back and it better not have artifacting with its video card.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ July 15, 2008 3:44:48 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
What really sold me on it was Smooth’s sense of humor, this sadly went right over the heads of my two nephews when I wanted to see if they would like it. Some instances are through gross games: clip the toenail, insert the false teeth and pick the nose. Others are goofy: hand out a brochure, smack the back of the inattentive student and shake off the ants on a banana. The absolutely funniest moments are during the pauses for new instructions on how to use the controller for an upcoming mini-game. First, the title appears such as “The Big Cheese” or “The Umbrella,” followed by an illustration of how to hold the controller and text explaining it. Meanwhile, a Jack Handey-esque voice reads the text in that infamous dry, deadpan tone, amplifying the punchline’s effect. Not every one is a gem admittedly. much like Jack Handey’s Deep Thoughts. Finally, there is one string of tasks fans of Nintendo’s rich history will love since it involves the gauntlet of their trademark characters.
Smooth’s only downside the lack of an initial multiplayer mode. It exists, just not until the story mode is completed.
Congratulations Nintendo for publishing another game that gets non-”serious” players involved and having a great time. I love some of the choices for the PS3 and Xbox but most of their titles require a time commitment equal to at least a part-time job through those ridiculous, counter-intuitive controllers.
Although I only rented this, I did solve it and retained the results on the Wii’s memory card. When I get around to buying it, probably used, I’m all set to roll it out with friends for multi-player sessions.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ June 15, 2008 6:48:02 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
The other day when I scored a few movies from Blockbuster to rent, I added a Wii game to the list. Tonight, we rewarded ourselves for finally mowing and edging the lawn by playing Big Brain Academy. I would’ve done better on my first test if I read the instructions but according to the Everyone Votes Channel, I’m in the majority who doesn’t! I still thought my first score was decent even if C++ isn’t a real grade. Somara and I will definitely be buying this one to have around permanently. I think it has an online element.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ April 8, 2008 10:37:49 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
I’m not trying to ridicule or fit in with today’s youth culture like GB Trudeau does, but I can’t stand people thinking they’re witty, funny or “in” by misspelling words. Yet this fit rather decently.
Somara and I had discussed getting Nintendo’s latest hit console ever since a couple friends and relatives scored one. We just never went out of way to look since they’ve been backordered from day one. Then while we were at SuperTarget to buy bananas and soap, I twisted Somara’s arm into browsing the electronics section. When I saw the small stack of consoles, I thought it was a joke until I asked the clerk. He answered how surprised he was they were still present. Normally the store is cleaned out by noon every Sunday.
I know it was an impulsive purchase. Yet we’ve both had great times playing our friends’ Nintendos. Now we can contribute to their Wii parties by bringing a pair of controllers.
Getting it set up was relatively easy too. The only delay was hunting down its MAC address so it could join our wireless network [that’s how I keep our neighbors out], followed by trying to remember the password for the software to administrate the two AirPort base stations. I immediately downloaded the two free time-waster games Nintendo gives you: Everybody Votes and the Check Mii Out channels. I need to bug Adam for a copy of my Mii because I couldn’t rebuild the first I had which I found more accurate. And yes, we gave our Wii the obvious name of Maggii; matches the pronunciation!
If Rock Band appears for the Wii and it has all the features of the PS3 or XBox 360 version, I don’t think there will be any rush to replace our PS2 with a PS3. Unfortunately, there’s no set date for a release. No idea how the drum kit would work with those Bluetooth controllers. Probably the same way Guitar Hero III and Boogie do it.
At the end of the month, Somara’s sister Yvette is coming to Austin with the kids. I’m confident Landon and Madison will want to visit Uncle Steve & Aunt Sam’s house immediately because the mere mention of this gaming system hits children like a Hollywood-style epiphany. Queue the celestial music as their eyes go vacant.
One great benefit I love is the bowling game. All the money I will save not having to rent a lane and shoes!
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ March 17, 2008 9:28:40 PM CDT ( 0 comments ) |
This is the first version with Red Octane’s new developer Neversoft since MTV bought Harmonix [as we speak there are plans for Activision and Blizzard to merge, probably to compete with EA]. Although it’s title is a sequel, it’s an independent game rebuilt from the ground up for an Xbox sadly. I have the PS2 copy which has one song per set ripped out, the surprise appearance of Bret Michaels removed and it takes an annoying amount of time to load between tunes. Neversoft also ditched two of my favorite characters, Pandora and Eddie Knox. Judy Nails takes on some attributes of Pandora in her style to make up for it. Casey, Axel, Lars, Xavier, Izzy and Johnny remain with newcomer Midori, a Japanese woman in the vein of PuffyAmiYumi or Shonen Knife covered in too many accessories. I did like the brief cartoons of the band members between sets, showing the group’s rise from backyard sensation to headliners in Japan and finally stuck in Hell, trying to escape their contract.
Most of GH III plays the same way as its three predecessors in Career Mode: complete three out of four songs, do the encore and then collect money to buy new songs, gear, characters or outfits. This time the franchise owners decided to add something that ruins the game for me, Battle Mode. Taking a page from the movie Crossroads [a cheesy movie from 1986 yet this addition is so awful, it might as well be attributed to the 2002 Britney Spears dud], after every couple of venues, you must take on a famous guitarist to advance. Since it’s a battle, you and your opponent sabotage each other by picking up various attack notes which are then used by flipping the guitar in the same manner as activating Star Power. The attacks vary: raising the difficulty, breaking strings, flipping the orientation of the notes, etc. Personally, I found this lamer and par with the asinine slow-motion affect in NHL 2003 by EA. Whoever made the decision to implement this doesn’t know jacksh*t about music. When musicians compete, they try outplay each other. Sabotaging a competitor doesn’t make a guitarist great neither, just a bigger jerk. Doesn’t matter, if you don’t defeat the bosses of Tom Morello [Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine] or Slash [Guns n’ Roses, Velvet Revolver], you’re stuck until you do. Once I figured out how use the numerous “attacks” I beat Tom after three attempts but knocked Slash by the second verse, there’s pure fantasy. Thankfully, the famous guitarists bear no grudges so you join them in the encore songs “Bulls on Parade” and “Welcome to the Jungle.” Remember the part about Hell I mentioned earlier? The finale is a duel against the band’s agent Lou who is the Devil’s best guitarist. I could live with the cliche, just not the song, “Devil Went down to Georgia.” Again, who was the doofus to okay this? “Freebird” at the end of GH2 made sense from the game’s mindset even though I hate the song. Using a Charlie Daniels’ Country crossover to end this was outright idiocy. It would’ve been smarter to find something with just devil in the title such as Van Halen’s “Running with the Devil” or INXS’s “Devil Inside.” Even something more obscure like Face to Face’s “The Devil You Know” would fit the game’s attitude better.
Career Mode isn’t GH’s selling point anyway, playing with friends through co-operative or competitive mode is. I have yet to try this due to everyone’s schedule plus Somara is often intimidated by the gap in our skill levels. So far, Battle Mode isn’t the default setting for competitive play which was a relief. I am itching to play Co-Operative Career Mode with someone because I don’t care if I’m the lead guitarist or bass player. Another great benefit is the increased number of master tracks over covers, especially on the material from the 90s on: jamming out to the real version of “My Name is Jonas” by Weezer or “Ruby” by the Kaiser Chiefs. Since it’s a video game trying to appeal to a wide audience, the song choices are equally broad: standards of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties mixed in with awful Nu Metal [Disturbed bites!] and decent Alternative, “Cherub Rock” by Smashing Pumpkins is harder than it sounds.
GH III is certainly better than the Eighties version that was whipped up in a hurry this Summer, just not by much. I understand the need to innovate otherwise this becomes Madden with updated songs but the developers should’ve listened to music fans and musicians not to video game-a-holics, people obsessed at “winning” yet haven’t a clue on the spirit of music. Maybe it’s better on the newer consoles thanks to the downloading options of additional songs. I doubt it though. I’m afraid this franchise is approaching a point of diminishing returns and Rock Band will overtake it because it brings in more of the elements people wanted, namely creating their own characters.
Posted by: Steve Maggi
| @ December 2, 2007 7:56:37 PM CST ( 0 comments ) |
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